Switch



Jan. 5, 1932. L. P. BOLL ET AL SWITCH Filed Oct. 3. 1927 Patented Jan. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFlcE LESTER PIERCE BOLL, OIF MAPLEWOOD, AND ARNOLD CLEMENT HANSEN, TB., Ol' BT.

LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOBS TO W. N. MATTHEWS CORPORATION, OF BT. LOUIS,

MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI SWITCH Application iled otobex' 3, 1987. Serial Nmm.

This invention relates to switches and with regard to certain more specific features, to bayonet switches.v

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of an improved type of bayonet switch in which, when a fusible member is used, the explosion of said fusible member is directed so as to exhaust undesirable gases, ame and the like from the interior of the switch; the provision of a switch of the class described which is simple, economical and rugged of construction in view of the bayonet and expulsive features;

and the provision of a device ofthe class described which may be readily assembled and .dismantled during manufacturing and replacement operations. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combination of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structure hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation 4of the switch, shown partly in section; y

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross section taken on line 3-3 0f Fig. 1;

Fig. 4. is a side elevation partially in section, of a bayonet cartridge., carrying certain terminal engaging elements;

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of certain barrel members, carrying certain removable spaced line terminals; and

Fig. 7 is a cross section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6. l

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 5 1 there is illustrated at numeral 1 anl external tubular insulating barrel or bod composed preferably of externally convo uted erw lain or similar material. This externa barrel 1 has a hollow interior portion, including a more or less restricted neck 3 at the lower end and a flared mouth 5 at its upper end.

The purpose of the flared mouth 5 is to receive an upper ianged portion 7 connected with an internal insulating barrel 9, the the ange 7 and internal barrel 9 being removable -from the external barrel 1 as a unit or as an assembly by unfastening holding screws 11.

As will be evident later, the purpose of the unitary internal barrel 9 and ange 7 is to support lower and upper spaced line terminals 13, and 29 respectively.

The detailed construction of the barrel 9 and flange 7 is relatively simple, comprising an insulating ring 17 to which the inner barrel 9 is fastened Aand above which is located a second insulating ring 19 having a hollow open portion 21 and an integral flat upper cap portion 23. Said flat upper portion has a keyhole 25 formed therethrough adapted to permit passage of a key portion 27 on the bayonet proper. This passage is permitted in one position of the key 27 and prevented in other rotated positions thereof. Within the open portion 21 is mounted a U-sha ed line terminal spring 29 which is adapte to be engaged by said key 27 after the key has been placed in the opening 21 and rotated into locking position to engage said spring. It is evident that the key and keyhole provide an interlock between the bayonet and the barrels, the purpose of which will be described.

The shape ofthe opening 21 is such as to accommodate the U-shaped terminal spring 29 in such a manner that the leg portions 31' of the spring pass into recesses 33 including arcuately shaped portions 35, the purpose of which is to back the legs 31 after the key 27 has been rotated into contacting position. A stop 37 is employed which serves-to guide an operator to know when the key 27 is aligned with the opening or keyhole 25 for purposes of withdrawal of the bayonet. At 100 -this position the key does not contact the terminal 29 and is not interlocked.

At the lower end of the inner barrel 9 1s fastened the second line terminal 13of conical construction, havingl spring arms 41.

It may benoted from Flgs. 3, 6 and 7 that the upper and lower line terminals 29 and 13, respectively, are -provided with recesses 43 and 45 respectively for receiving line wires 47, said wires 47 passing through openings 49 in the outer barrel l. The ends of the wires are soldered, sweated or otherwisey fastened into said recesses. The upper wire also passes through said ring 17.

In Figs. 1 and 4 is clearly illustrated the bayonet per se, which comprises an insulating handle 51 adapted to fit over the mouth 5 and deflect water. Cemented or otherwise fastened to the underside of the handle 51 is the upper conducting terminal engaging element 53 which includes integrally therewith said key 27, the latter being adapted to engage said upper line terminal 29, as above described. This upper engaging element 53 includes a gudgeon 55 for fastening to the handle 51.

Screwed into a hollow portion 57 of said terminal engaging element 53 is a fuse cartridge or tube 59 which is permanently held in position by a set screw 61. This cartridge or tube 59 is also composed of insulating material and carries near its lower end a lower terminal engaging element 63, the latter being held in place by a set screw 65.

The lower terminal engaging element 63 is preferably of a solid truncated conical construction, adapted to t into the resilient tapering spring arms 41. A groove 67 is proivded longitudinally of the element 63 for permitting engagement of a fusible link 69. The link 69 is firmly held by a screw 71.

The fusible link 69 passes downwardly from the element 63 to a hairpin turn 73 and then returns to enter the lower end of the cartridge 59 and from thence passes upwardly through said tube 59 and to the upper terminal engaging element 53, Where it is clamped in position within the recess 57 by means of a set screw 75. The fuse 69 preferably has a rduced portion 77 at its upper end.

The functions and operations of the various elements .described are as follows:

When the outer barrel 1 is installed, the three screws 11 are loosened, whereupon it is possible to remove the inner barrel 9, together with the ring 17. The ring 19 carries the terminal 29 and is loose with respect to the ring 17 after the bolts 11 have been loosened. Hence, by Stringing a wire through said opening 49, it may then be soldered at the upper recess 43 in the terminal 29, while said terminal is separated from the barrel 1. In other words, the inner barrel 9 and its flanged ortion 7 is lifted free of the outer barrel 1 flir purposes of fastening the upper wire 47. During this operation the lower wire 47 may also be strung through its respective opening 49 a'nd fastened in its recess 45 in the lower line terminal 13, which at this stage has also been withdrawn with the inner barrel 9.

Next, the flanged portion 7 (including the rings 17 and 19 and the terminal 29) and the barrel 9 (including the lower terminal 13) are telescoped down into the outer barrel 1 and fastened by means of said screws or bolts 11. To prevent accidental removal, the bolts 11 are cemented in at their heads. The switch ma be supplied to the user with short lengths oA wires in place, to which' the line wires may be spliced or fastened.

A fuse link having been placed in the cartridge 59, the cartridge may be' inserted or telescoped into the inner barrel 9 whenever the key 27 is in roper position to pass through the key ole 25 (see Fig. 3). After the key has passed into the keyhole, (at this stage the lower terminal engaging element 63 contacts with the lower terminal 13) the complete cartridge is given a clockwise twist (see Fig. 2), whereupon the extending portions of the key 27 engage with terminal 29 and also serve to lock the bayonet in contacted position so that it cannot be withdrawn unless contact is broken. The interlocking is adapted to take place before electrical contact is made, thereby preventing the bayonet from kicking up, should it be inserted and turned to closed position on an overloaded line. Thus injury to the operator is prevented.

The purpose of the slot 67 in the lower engaging element 63 is to prevent interference between the fuse link 69 and lower terminal arms 41, so that upon turning the bayonet, continuous contact is possible at the lower terminal.

When it is desired to remove the bayonet, it should be turned counter-clockwise until one of the extensions on the key 27 engage the stop 37, which indicates that the bayonet may be withdrawn, contacthaving been broken at the upper contact 29.

If, while in contacted position, the fuse blows, the attending explosion drives the burning gases and combustibles out from the lower end of the tube 59. The key 27 reacting against the cap 23 prevents the bayonet from kicking out of the barrels.

It is evident that a burned fuse may be replaced by withdrawing the bayonet, loosening the screws and 71 and applying a new fuse link 69, after which said screws are retightened.

One advantage of this construction is that it provides a switch which must be positively opened before a fuse replacement is made, thereby protecting an operator. Another advantage is that if the bayonet is` inserted in an overloaded line, it cannot kick up and injure the o rator, because the interlock functions be ore contacts are made. Also, simplified means areprovided for applying the wires to the line terminals. The expul- Sion feature prevents internal bursting or burning. Furthermore, it should be noted that there is rovided herein means for accomplishing t e above ends which interrelate both functionally and mechanically in such a` way that a minimum number of parts perform maximum duty. The manufacturing cost is exceedingly low because of the low number of parts involved.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained -in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illu strative and not in a limiting sense.

W e claim:

1. A bayonet switch comprising an outer body, a removable inner assembly carrying line terminals and a tubular bayonet having thereon terminal engaging elements, said engaging elements being electrically connected and a handle associated with said bayonet adapted to close one end of said outer body.

2. A bayonet switch comprising an outer body, a removable inner assembly carrying line terminals and a bayonet carrying terminal engaging elements, said engaging elements being electrically connected, one end of said outer body being open.

3. A bayonet switch comprising an outer body, an inner assembly carrying line terminals, a bayonet adapted to be positioned at least partially within said inner assembly and including a tube, s aced terminal engaging elements on said tu e, and a fusible element connecting said engaging elements and passing through said tube and between said tube and said outer body.

4. A bayonet switch comprisingl an outer body, a removable inner assembly carrying line terminals, a bayonet adapted to be positioned at least partially within said inner assembly and including a tube, spaced terminal engaging elements on said tube, and a fusible element connecting said engaging element and passing through said tube and between said tube and said outer body, the outer body and said tube each having a juxtaposed open end.

5. A bayonet switch comprising an outer body, an inner assembly carrying line terminals, a cylindrical bayonet adapted to telescope with said inner assembly having thereon terminal engaging elements, means for electrically connecting said elements and an interlock between one of said elements and said assembly whereby it is made necessary rotatably to break a terminal contact before said bayonet can be Withdrawn for replacing the electrical connection.

6. A bayonet switch comprising supporting means for line terminals, a tubular bayonet one end of which is open, said bayonet having prising a single tubular cartridge carrying terminal engaging elements, a fusible link connecting said elements and passing through said cartridge and between said cartridge and the tubular supporting means.

8. A bayonet switch comprising tubular supporting means, said supporting means being substantially closed at one end, line terminals on said supporting means, a bayonet adapted to be inserted within said supporting means comprising a single tubular vcartridge carrying terminal engaging elements, said cartridge being closed at one end, a fusible link connecting said elements and passing through said cartridge and between said cartridge and the tubular supporting means. 9. A bayonet switch comprising tubular supporting means, line terminals on said supporting means, a bayonet adapted to be inserted within said supporting means comprising a single tubular cartridge carrying terminal engaging elements, a fusible link connecting said elements and passing through said cartridge and between said cartridge and the tubular supporting means and an interlock between the supporting means and the bayonetada-pted to prevent removal thereof l until a terminal contact is broken.

10. A bayonet switch comprising supporting means for line terminals, a tubular bayonet having thereon one end of which is open, said bayonet terminal engaging elements and means interlocking the bayonet and said supporting means, said interlocking means being operable before the terminal engaging elements close Contact between line terminals.

11. A bayonet switch comprising supporting means for line terminals, a tubular bayonet having thereon one end of which is open, said bayonet terminal engaging elements adapted to make and break contact with said line terminals, the engaging elements being in electrical contact and means interlocking the bayonet and said supporting means, said interlocking means being operable before the terminal engaging elements close Contact between line terminals.

12. A bayonet switch comprising an outer tubular supporting means, separated terminals therein, a tubular bayonet adapted to beinserted within said supporting means, terminals on said bayonet adapted to engage theterminals on said supporting means, and a fusible link connecting said terminals on said bayonet, said fusible link passing partially within said tubular bayonet and partially between said bayonet and said supporting means.

13. A bayonet Vswitch comprising an outer tubular supporting means, separated terminals therein, a tubular bayonet substantially closed at one end and open at the other endthereof adapted to be inserted within said supporting means, terminals on said bayonet adapted to engage the terminals on said supporting means, and a fusible link connecting said terminals on said bayonet, said fusible link passing partially within said tubular bayonet and partially between said bayonet and said supporting means.

14. A bayonet switch comprising an outer tubular supporting means, separated terminals therein, a tubular bayonet substantially closed at one end and open at the other end thereof adapted to be inserted within said supporting means, terminals on said bayonet adapted to engage the terminals on said supporting means, and a fusible link connecting said terminals on said bayonet, said fusible link passing from the Vterminal at the closed,

end of said tubular bayonet through said bayonet to the open end thereof, thence between said bayonet and said supporting means to the second terminal on said bayonet.

15. A bayonet switch comprising an outer body, a removable inner assembly carrying line terminals and a bayonet carrying terminal engaging elements, said engaging elements being electrically connected and a handle associated with said bayonet adapted to close one end of said outer body, the other end of said outer body being open.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification this 29th day of September, 192

LESTER PIERCE BOLL.

ARNOLD CLEMENT HANSEN, JR. 

